Killers granted citizenship in Britain, report finds

Violent killers have been granted citizenship in Britain after "no attempts" were made to check applicant's criminal records, a report has revealed.

They included a self-confessed murderer, who told immigration officials he stabbed someone to death in his own country, but was still allowed to stay.

A report from John Vine, independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, found there were "virtually no other checks" to establish the good character of applicants apart from automated police and immigration tests.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "People will be rightly alarmed that a person who had stabbed someone to death in their own country could be granted citizenship in Britain.

"Failure to properly check criminal records, to fully understand people's financial background and take into account their previous immigration status is completely unacceptable."